Valeri Zelepukin is a former professional ice hockey player from Russia who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 10 seasons. He began his career playing for the Soviet Union's national team and later played for the Russian national team.
Zelepukin was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 11th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1991-92 season and played for the Flyers for three seasons before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He played for the Oilers for two seasons before being traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he played for six seasons.
During his time with the Devils, Zelepukin was part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 1995. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Flyers, which sent the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals. He also scored a crucial goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, which helped the Devils win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Zelepukin was known for his speed and his ability to play both offense and defense. He was a versatile player who could play on any line and was often used on the penalty kill. He was also a skilled playmaker and had a knack for setting up his teammates for goals.
After his time with the Devils, Zelepukin played one season for the Dallas Stars before returning to Russia to finish his career. He played for several teams in the Russian Superleague before retiring in 2006.
Overall, Zelepukin had a successful career in both the NHL and international play. He represented his country in several international tournaments, including the Olympics and the World Championships. He was a key player on the Devils' Stanley Cup-winning team and was a fan favorite in New Jersey.
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